Sig Sauer P320: SHOT Show New Product Overview

The new Sig Sauer P320 wasn’t exactly a rock star of SHOT Show, but there are plenty of fans out there who have been waiting for a striker fired Sig that can compete head to head with Glock and the S&W M&P. The primary market for this pistol is the Law Enforcement community, with the civilian self-defense market being a secondary concern. However, if the P320 takes off, I would expect to see more attention given to the civilian side, with support for competition/target versions of the pistol, and varying colors and finishes to appeal to different consumer preferences.

We talked to Dylan Kenneson from Sig Sauer Academy at SHOT Show and asked him to tell us what the P320 has to offer that its competitors do not.

Why You Should Buy the Sig P320 in 30 Seconds

Sig P320 SHOT Show OverviewAt Shot Show this year, Sig we’re showing off their new P320, which marks their highly anticipated entry into the striker fired pistol market. We wanted to know what sets this gun apart from other well established striker fired polymer handguns. So we talked to Dylan Kenneson from Sig Sauer Academy and put him on the spot with the following scenario. Let’s say you’re looking over my shoulder as I’m about to hit the “buy it now” button for a Smith & Wesson M&P on Gun Broker. You have 30 seconds to make the case for the P320 and get me to reconsider starting now. The Smith & Wesson, great gun– not a bad gun by any means. 320- one thing that will make it different than the Smith & Wesson is, again, modularity. The safety components and the accuracy of it. It’s an extremely accurate gun and again, with one serial number frame– fire control unit is what we call it. You have all the different modularities in size and not only in size of the gun itself. But now we can make it 9 millimeter, 357 Sig or to 40 cal– [BUZZER] Oh sorry, your 30 seconds are up. But it looks like accuracy and modularity are two big selling points for the P320. We look forward to checking that out firsthand when the gun comes out later this year. In the meantime, check out the rest of our blog post below for more information on the P320.

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Overview/Opinion

I had a chance to handle the P320 for a bit at the Sig booth at SHOT Show. I was surprised at how light it seemed to be. On paper, its unloaded weight is comparable to other full size polymer pistols, but the P320 looks a lot like a classic steel-framed Sig, which are pretty hefty guns, so you don’t expect it to feel like picking up a Glock 17. Fans of Sig’s classic series should also be pleased that the P320 feels like a Sig. The “melt into your hand” style grip of the Sig has been a big selling point for the pistol in the past, and that feature hasn’t gone anywhere. The three different sized grip modules will make the trademark Sig feel accessible to even more people, since it will now accommodate those with smaller than average hand-size.

The modular grip, along with several optional safety features should make the P320 very attractive to the law enforcement market that Sig is targeting with this release. There are a lot of agencies out there still using classic Sigs, but their popularity has waned significantly. The heavy DA/SA pistols are still good performers at the range and in real-life scenarios, but most departments are seeing the advantages of lighter weight, consistent trigger pull, and adjustable grip sizes, especially as they relate to training and to equipping personnel with varying needs. Those departments who like their Sigs but want 21st century features will now have an option.

The modularity potential is very interesting, but we’ve seen this before from Sig with the P250, and it didn’t quite pan out as everyone had hoped. Whether this was because Sig was slow to roll out the promised options or because of the P250’s functionality problems at its initial launch, many consumers will be skeptical of Sig’s claims regarding the P320. Fortunately, the P320 is a completely different design from the P250, which should help to calm the fears of those who had bad experiences with the P250. We’ll be keeping an eye on this pistol, and we’ll be sure to let you know if we have the chance to try one out at the range as we get closer to the product launch.

Q&A with Dylan Kenneson from Sig Sauer Academy

Lucky Gunner: What’s different about this Sig?

Dylan Kenneson: Obviously, Sig is known for its hammered guns. This year, this our first jump into the striker fired platform, so we’re super excited about it. We did a bunch of different variants on it, so in a sense, it’s modular… And by the way, this gun is complete 100% LE driven — so we had a whole bunch of law enforcement folks come to us and say “hey, we need this” and this is what we came up with… It’s fully modular, so if you have folks with smaller hands, we have a grip frame that will fit them. There are six different configurations in sizes and circumferences of the grip right now that really make the gun fit the shooter. On top of that, the disassembly of it is a key feature because it’s 100% safe; meaning you have to clear the gun including having the magazine out, slide locked to the rear, and no pulling of the trigger to disassemble, so that’s a key safety feature.

LG: Will all of those different options for modularity and calibers be available at the initial product launch?

DK: In a sense, we’re kind of starting simple, meaning we’re going to release the carry version and the full size version and we’re only keeping it in 9 for right now. The .40 will be available very shortly and we’re kind of sticking with that because, again, it is very LE-driven at this point. So we’re looking at agencies that come to us and maybe their guns are aged and they need an upgrade or something like that, this is really what we’re focusing on and the rest of the commercial market… that’s kind of a secondary thought.

LG: Internally, how much does it have in common with Sig’s other modular polymer gun, the P250?

DK: The fire control unit is the same in the sense that you can pull it out and put it into different grip modules. As far as the works and all of the parts and everything, it’s completely different.

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Russell Koch

Is it just another cola: fizzy brown water with a small taste tweak? Or a possible Glock buster with a Walther-like single action feel? FTR, I really like the P250.

LG Chris

I hear what you’re saying, and it was just the base models, I’d agree that the P320 is likely just more of the same of what we already have. But the modular feature is what could potentially set it apart. I’m not convinced that “grip modules” are better than interchangeable back straps or grip panels (like the M&P, Gen 4 Glock, or HK P30), but the ability to change caliber, barrel/slide length, etc on a single fire control group could be useful for the needs of some individuals or departments. At the very least, it’s a feature the competition does not offer, so time will tell if that’s something the market values.

Gary Froniewski

Grip modules are cheap and allow you to modify without fear. You can potentially ruin Glock grips trying to do reductions if you aren’t careful as I am sure you know. You can also switch between DAO and striker fired for training purposes on the fly. As far as grip modules vs. interchangeable backstraps IMO it is much easier to change a grip on the P250 than it is to change a backstrap on the Glock. No pins or anything.

Dave Neumann

So could I buy one frame and also buy three barrels to fit the one frame ?

LG Chris

Kind of. The fire control group is the serialized part and is legally considered the firearm. So you could have one FCG and multiple barrels, slides, *and* frames (which Sig calls “grip modules” on this model) but it’s legally just one gun. I’m not 100% sure that changing barrels would not require changing slides and/or frames, but if I had to guess, I’d say that’s probably the case.

Dave Neumann

LG Chris Just in case we run out of one type of rounds I want the option to just change over.But the mag would need to be change as well .

Gary Froniewski

For the P250 you have to have a separate slide for one of the calibers I can’t remember which. For 9mm, .357 SIG, and either .40 or .45 (like I said I can’t remember which) are the same, but the other caliber .40 or .45 that’s not included in those 3 requires its own slide.

Steve Cook

Yeah but the conversion kits are almost as much as the gun itself. At least they are with the 250.

LG Chris

Since they’re marketing this to LE, there will likely be a bulk discount for those folks. For civilians, Sig has always come with premium pricing, so I would not be surprised if your prediction is true. Unfortunately, they have not always delivered premium product (especially lately). I am hoping the P320 is a return to the superior design and QC that Sig was once known for, but I’m not holding my breath.

Al DeMatteo

Not true. The conversion kits cost about half of what a new pistol costs.

Russell Koch

Something surely is happening with the P250. There are simply no conversion kits to be had by third parties–you must call SIG and pay full price. Either they are dropping support for the P250 or they are selling all they can make. The third scenario is that ramping up for the 320 has dried up supply. Anyway it goes, it should take some fear out of P250 purchases because the P320 intro can only help it as they share a lot of components. If anybody really thinks you can’t shoot DAO fast and accurate, you need to meet Jerry Miculek. If you want a SIG but don’t have a ton of money…

Ryan Dunbar

supposedly the P250 just doesn’t hold up…

Gary Froniewski

The Gen 1 P250s had issues, but the new ones are great. I have carried one for over a year with 0 malfunctions. No FTE, no FTF (once with a dud TulAmmo round), nothing. Thing runs like a beast and the ergonomics and simplicity in the manual of arms cannot be beaten for the price. Sig is genius for allowing the grips, barrels, RSA, and mags to be transferable. Anyone with a P250 is already set up for the P320. If you are thinking about getting the P320 pick up a cheap P250, harvest the components, and sell the FCU to a willing buyer. Then you can have 2 configurations right off the bat. Seriously though, the Gen 2 250 is a beast that shouldn’t be overlooked, and Sig’s new design will only be even better!

Al DeMatteo

There are conversion list available at this very moment for P250’s at the Sig Store. Anyone who says the P250 doesn’t hold up has had different experiences than I’ve had with mine. I love it and it has held up well, has great ergonomics, and is one of the best shooting pistols I own.

Russell Koch

It has a history which one should be familiar and comfortable with before buying. SIG wouldn’t be building a P320 on a defective design. It’s rock solid SIG. There are so many great pistols out there these days so pick one you love and want to brag about.

Russell Koch

The P250 and P320 will not share any commonality except probably magazines, as stated by the SIG rep in the article. If some parts are interchangeable, perhaps barrels, say, it really won’t have any impact upon your gun safe. That’s my take anyway.

Henry Marmol Jr.

Just picked one up at the local B&M shop/range yesterday and im in love with the ergonomics and fit and finish of the p320. Cant wait to put rounds down range next payday, if it shoots anything like the p250 ill be ecstatic. Only thing I havent liked so far fondling the firearm on the couch, there is a small molding seam on the beavertail that irritates my thumb just holding it. However, gloves or a fine grit wet sanding will take care of that easily. The new stippling is flipping fantastic however

Dustin Stephenson

It really is an EXCELLENT gun. At least the one got is, can’t speak for them all. I was generally a Glock guy, not fanboy, I have a Shield also because I think it’s a perfect conceal carry weapon that has some big boy round options for smaller framed guys who live in a HOT state. I go with whatever I like. I was intrigued though when I heard Sig had made a striker. Thought I’d check it out. The trigger is freaking fantastic. I put 250 extra dollars into my Glock 17 all on trigger work. A Zev fulcrum trigger kit with an IDP ultra lightweight firing pin and 3 pound spring (I have a 2# also, but don’t want light strikes). Anyways, the trigger is definitely light on the 17, but my stock p320 trigger feels better. It feels reeeeally close to a Sig firing in single action. I’ve never come across a striker that feels like it (never fired the PPQ). Anyways, I’m a bit of a Sig convert now. Ordered a subcompact 9 for a good price and now I can decide to keep the compact and the subcompact, sell the compact FCU, but keep the compact kit, or sell the compact kit and keep the FCU from it and get another compact kit later for a few hundred…there’s a place besides Sig that has them for $100 less, but if you buy a Sig and register it’s warranty you get 20% off a purchase and free shipping over $100, so it ends up about the same in the end I guess. Ya, the kits can be pricey, but it’s a lower, a barrel, a slide, a guide rod (aka “recoil spring”) which is very good I might add, magazine, night sights, etc…everything for the gun other than the trigger unit and rails (which is on the trigger unit). Try buying all that stuff for a Glock or any other gun and it would cost the same, but probably more. Just an empty lower frame for a Glock is $75. Glock barrel is $150 dollars. Night sights $100, magazines about 40 each, slide $220- 240 (without firing pin, firing pin safety, extractor, etc…), guide rod 8-17 depending on gen, That’s all OEM Glock made parts. Missing parts in the slide, frame pins, rails and no trigger at all, that’s already $613 (only counted one mag) not even including shipping…so complaining about $300 for EVERYTHING on the gun except the trigger unit is ridiculous. You can have one whole p320 for 500 some odd dollars and spend another 300 and have a subcompact 9 and a full size .40. With triggers that KILL Glocks and night sights already on. $800 for 2 better guns or 1,2000 for two Glocks that aren’t as good and some night sights. I think the modular idea is great, especially if the FCU’s are made to last. Everybody is kinda wary because of the P250 deal, but the P320 is GREAT and while it would be nice if kits were more available, you can find compact and full size .40’s and .357 sig’s now, and the Sig store has 9mm full size sometimes but people buy them up quick. Basically, buy a P320 subcompact and then you can get compact or full kits if you want to do that. As time goes on they’ll become more available and from everything from racking the slide to pulling the trigger it feels so much smoother and better made than any Glock, M&P, or XD I’ve come across. It’s a keeper in my book and it shows that Sig can do things that Glock can’t. Design new guns. Design, not chop or change caliber on a 33(!) yr. old gun. Oh, right, and they finally made a single stack 9 of their same old gun (I guess they can shrink the same gun as well) that holds 6(!) rounds. Shield (7 and 8 rnds.) or XDS (I think the same), and Walther PPS (6, 7 +8 rnds) were years earlier and better. Glocks are VERY reliable, don’t get me wrong, but they’re WAY overrated at this point. They’re getting by on reputation and name alone at this point. I give Mr. Glock credit for his original design, which was fairly revolutionary, but ever since, they’ve just got by on people buying the same ‘ol Glock bc the police (who get REALLY good contracts with Glock) use them. They’re like 1911’s now, always the same, other than size or caliber. In my book though Sig knocked Glock off their pedestal. Sorry guys, that was long as hell…